JPH1156775A - Endoscopic system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscopic system, which may safely, properly and automatically control quantity of light even whatever condition the inserted part's tip of the endoscope is in. SOLUTION: The illuminating light of a lamp 16 in a light source device 3 is guided to a tip part 9 of an insertional part 12 and irradiated through a condenser lens 17 to an area being checked up by an after said light-guide fiber bundle, which is inserted through a universal code 14 and an electron endoscope 2 from a light-guide incident tip 18 that is protruded from a light- guide connector 14a. The light source device 3 and a video processor 4 are connected to a light controlling circuit 20 of the light source device 3 by electric contacts installed to a video connector 15a and the light-guide connector 14a. The light controlling circuit 20 is to control light by controlling the currency value of the lamp 16 detecting the used currency value of the lamp 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus, and more particularly, to an endoscope apparatus characterized by a dimming control section of illumination light.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Endoscopes for observing a subject image by inserting a slender insertion portion into a site to be examined, such as a body cavity, are widely used in the medical and industrial fields.

In an endoscope, an illuminating light from a light source device is radiated to a test site, an image of the illuminated test site is formed by an observation optical system, and the image is observed with the naked eye from an eyepiece. Or an observation image is obtained by an imaging means.

[0004] In an endoscope apparatus provided with such a light source device, the brightness of an obtained image may vary depending on the distance, the size of the subject, the state of the subject, and the like. There was a risk that they could not be obtained or would interfere with observation. In order to solve this problem, a configuration in which the light intensity of the endoscope image can be controlled by adjusting the amount of emitted light in the light source device according to the brightness of the observation image obtained conventionally and adjusting the amount of illumination light. Has been adopted.

In the case of controlling the brightness of an endoscope image by adjusting the amount of illumination light, conventionally, a user manually sets a desired brightness and performs a dimming operation by a stop of a light source device. ing. By using the endoscope device having such a configuration, the brightness of the observation image can be kept substantially constant, and an image that is always easy to observe can be obtained.
Conventionally, in the endoscope device, the dimming is manually adjusted to adjust the aperture, so that there is a problem that it takes time to adjust the light amount.

Therefore, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-73294, photometry is performed only on an arbitrarily designated portion of a solid-state imaging device, and the amount of illumination of a light source device is adjusted to an optimum brightness.
An endoscopic video system that automatically adjusts the amount of illumination to optimize screen brightness by increasing the amount of illumination of the light source device when the amount of light in the region of interest specified by the operator is insufficient. Has been proposed.

[0007]

However, in the endoscope imaging system disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-73294,
An excessive amount of light may be generated in a portion other than an arbitrarily designated portion of the solid-state imaging device. For example, when performing a human intragastric examination, half of the distal end of the insertion section of the endoscope is close to the stomach wall,
On the monitor image, part of the image may show a close-up image of the stomach wall, and others may show a distant view image of another part. At this time, if the operator designates a part of the distant view image and performs photometry, the light amount of the light source device increases because the luminous quantity is insufficient in the distant view image. Here, in the vicinity, not only does it become unnecessarily bright but also becomes extremely hot, and if left in that state for a long time, there is a risk of burning the gastric mucosal tissue.

If the light guide formed at the distal end of the insertion portion is blocked by the gastric mucosa, the desired portion cannot be illuminated, so that the image is dark but the light amount of the light source device is increased, and the light source device is similarly long. Otherwise, there is a risk of burning the mucous membrane.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an endoscope apparatus capable of performing automatic light amount adjustment safely and appropriately regardless of the state of the distal end of an insertion portion. It is intended to be.

[0010]

An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
An endoscope provided with a solid-state imaging device at the distal end that forms an image of a subject illuminated by illumination light via an objective lens,
A processor that controls an electric signal from the solid-state imaging device, including a lighting device having a light source that supplies the illumination light, a detection unit that detects a light amount of the light source of the lighting device,
When the detecting means outputs a value larger than a preset reference value, a light measuring means for measuring the amount of light received by the solid-state imaging device, and a light amount of a light source of the lighting device according to an output result of the light measuring means And light amount control means for temporarily reducing the light amount.

In the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, the detecting means detects a light amount of a light source of the illuminating device, the light measuring means measures a light amount received by the solid-state image sensor, and the light amount controlling means measures the light measuring amount. By temporarily reducing the light amount of the light source of the illumination device according to the output result of the means, it is possible to perform safe and appropriate automatic light amount adjustment.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a distal end portion of the endoscope of FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of dimming control of the light source device by the video processor of FIG.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an electronic endoscope 2 having an image pickup means,
A light source device 3 for supplying illuminating light to a light guide of the electronic endoscope 2, a video processor 4 for performing signal processing on image pickup means of the electronic endoscope 2 and outputting a video signal (image signal); A monitor 5 for displaying a video signal corresponding to a subject image output from the VTR 4, a VTR deck 6 and a video disk 7 for recording an observation image,
And a video printer 8 for printing out the observation image.

The electronic endoscope 2 has a distal end portion 9 on which an illumination optical system and an observation optical system are disposed, a bending portion 10 that can be bent in, for example, up, down, left and right directions, and a flexible and flexible flexible endoscope. Flexible part 11
And an elongated insertion portion 12 composed of
A universal cord 14 in which a light guide or the like is inserted extends from the side of the operation unit 13 located on the base end side of the second unit 2.

The electronic endoscope 2 has a universal cord 14
Is connected to the light source device 3 via a light guide connector 14a provided at an end of the light guide connector 14a, and a video connector at an end of a signal cable 15 extending from a side of the light guide connector 14a. It is configured to be detachably connected to the video processor 4 via 15a.

The illumination light of the lamp 16 in the light source device 3 is transmitted through the condenser lens 17 to the light guide connector 14.
a through a light guide incident end 18 protruding from the light guide fiber a and a light guide fiber bundle 19 described later through which the universal endoscope 2 and the electronic endoscope 2 are inserted.
Is guided to the distal end portion 9 and is irradiated toward the test site.

The light source device 3 and the video processor 4 are connected to a dimming circuit 20 of the light source device 3 via electric contacts (not shown) provided on the video connector 15a and the light guide connector 14a. The optical circuit 20 includes the lamp 1
The dimming is performed by detecting the current value of the lamp 6 and controlling the current value of the lamp 16.

Then, after an image of the portion to be inspected is formed on a solid-state image sensor, for example, a CCD 31, which will be described later, provided at the distal end portion 9 and converted into an electric signal, the electric signal is transmitted to the video processor 4, and the video processor 4 The processor 4 converts the video signal into a video signal and displays an endoscope image on the monitor 5.

In detail, as shown in FIG. 2, the light guide fiber bundle 19 through which the universal cord 14 and the electronic endoscope 2 are inserted is fixed to the distal end fixing portion 32 of the distal end 9 of the electronic endoscope 2. The illumination light from the light source device 3 transmitted by the light guide fiber bundle 19 passes through the light guide emission lens group 33 from the emission end of the light guide fiber bundle 19, and is located in front of the front end 9 of the subject (not shown). ).

The distal end fixing portion 32 of the distal end portion 9 of the electronic endoscope 2 has an objective lens group 34, a CCD 31, a preprocessing circuit 35, and a signal cable 36 connected in series with each other. A subject image of the illuminated subject is formed on the image forming surface of the CCD 31 by the objective lens group 34, photoelectrically converted by the CCD 31, and an electric signal as an image pickup signal from the CCD 31 is subjected to pre-processing such as amplification by a pre-processing circuit 35 Is performed, and output to the video processor 4 via the signal cable 36.

(Operation) Next, the operation of the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

The illumination light generated by the lamp 16 in the light source device 3 is condensed by a condenser lens 17 and enters a light guide fiber bundle 19 from a light guide incident end 18. The incident illumination light irradiates the subject in front of the distal end portion 9 via the light guide fiber bundle 19 and the light guide emission lens group 33. The subject image is formed on the CCD 31 via the objective lens group 34, converted into an electric signal, and the output signal is converted into a pre-process circuit 35 and a signal cable 3
6 to the video processor 4. The video processor 4 converts the input output signal into a video signal and outputs it to each output device (monitor 5, VTR deck 6, video disk 7, and video printer 8).

As shown in FIG. 3, the dimming control by the video processor 4 first detects the amount of light of the lamp 16 of the light source device 3 in step S1. Detects the current value used. Then, in step S2, C in the video processor 4.
The brightness received by the CCD 31 is detected from the output signal of the entire light receiving surface of the CD 31.

Normally, the video processor 4 controls the dimming circuit 2 of the light source device 3 so that the brightness becomes suitable for endoscopy.
The brightness control of the light source device 3 is adjusted by sending the dimming control signal to 0 and changing the current value of the lamp 16.

In step S3, it is determined whether or not the current value of the lamp 16 is larger than a predetermined reference value set in advance. If the current value is larger than the reference value, the process proceeds to step S4. Determine if it is saturated. Then, in step S4, the CCD3
When it is determined that part of the output signal of the light source 1 is saturated, the process proceeds to step S5, where a dimming control signal is sent to the dimming circuit 20 of the light source device 3 in step S5.
And the light amount is reduced. Thereafter, the light amount is appropriately increased, the brightness is adjusted, and the process returns to step S1 to repeat the dimming control.

If it is determined in step S4 that part of the output signal of the CCD 31 is not saturated, the process proceeds to step S4.
Then, in step S6, it is determined whether the output signal of the CCD 31 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. If the output signal is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S5.
Proceed to. If it is determined in step S3 that the current value of the lamp 16 is not larger than a predetermined reference value, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, if the brightness received by the CCD 21 is not the proper brightness, a dimming control signal is sent to the dimming circuit 20 to the light source device 3 to adjust the brightness.

The predetermined reference value of the current value of the lamp 16 is set to a value such that the temperature around the tip 9 does not become higher than 40 ° C. For example, when a xenon lamp of 300 W is used as the lamp 16, the temperature at the tip is about 40 ° C. when the operating current of the lamp 16 is 18 amps, so the predetermined reference value is 18 amps.

(Effect) As described above, in the present embodiment, the current value of the lamp 16 is compared with a predetermined reference value,
Since the dimming is performed by controlling the current value of the lamp 16 via 0, the automatic light amount adjustment can be performed safely and properly regardless of the state of the tip of the insertion portion. it can.

FIGS. 4 to 11 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a light source device, and FIG. 5 is an electron beam supplied with illumination light from the light source device of FIG. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a distal end surface of the endoscope, FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a pipeline system of the electronic endoscope in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a water supply tank in FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the air supply control electromagnetic valve of FIG. 6, FIG. 9 is a front view of a CCD built in the electronic endoscope of FIG. 5, and FIG. 10 is a modification of the pipeline system of FIG. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration, and FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the control button in FIG.

Since the second embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, only different points will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

(Configuration) In this embodiment, although not shown, a brightness detecting means for detecting the brightness received by the CCD 31 is provided in a pre-processing circuit 35 built in the distal end portion 9 of the electronic endoscope 2. As shown in FIG. 4, in the light source device 3, the signal of the brightness detection unit is transmitted to a signal cable 41 provided in the light source device 3 via a part of a signal line of the signal cable 36. The signal is output to the CPU 42 and the aperture driving device 43 via the signal cable 41. A diaphragm 44 made of a plate-like member having a notch in a plane is fixed to a driving unit of the diaphragm driving device 43.

Here, in the diaphragm driving device 43, although not shown, a position detecting means for detecting the position of the diaphragm 44 is provided for detecting the amount of light emitted to the condenser lens 17 side of the lamp 16. ing.

In the light source device 3, when power is supplied to the power supply circuit 45, the lamp 16 is turned on by the lighting circuit 46, and the CPU 42 and the aperture driving device 43 are driven. Further, a signal from the operation panel 47 can be input to the CPU 42.

At the distal end of the distal end portion 9, as shown in FIG. 5, in addition to the objective lens group 34 and the light guide emitting lens group 33, an opening 48 for a treatment tool insertion channel through which a treatment tool (not shown) is inserted. Further, an air supply nozzle 49a and a water supply nozzle 49b for cleaning the distal end surface of the distal end portion 9 are arranged.

As shown in FIG. 6, the conduit system 61 of the electronic endoscope 2 includes an air supply conduit 61a, a water supply conduit 61b, and a suction conduit 61c as a treatment instrument insertion channel. The first air supply line 63a connected to the air supply nozzle 49a is connected to the second air supply line 63b via an air supply control solenoid valve 64, and the second air supply line 63b is connected to the proximal end. Is connected to the air / water supply pump 65. The second air supply line 63b has a branch in the middle thereof with the water supply tank pressurization line 66, and the water supply tank pressurization line 66 is connected to the water supply tank 62 storing water for water supply.

On the other hand, in the water supply line 61b, the water supply nozzle 4
9b is connected to the second water supply line 67b via the water supply control solenoid valve 74,
A second water supply pipe 67b is connected to the water supply tank 62 on the base end side. Further, the second water supply pipeline 67b has a branch on the way to the first communication pipeline 68a.

In the suction line 61c, a first suction line 69a having an opening 48 on the end surface of the endoscope is connected to a second suction line 69b via a suction control solenoid valve 70, and
Is connected to the collection tank 71 on the proximal end side. The collection tank 71 is also connected to a third suction pipe 69c connected to the suction pump 72. The first suction line 69a is branched in the middle from the second communication line 68b on the way, and the second communication line 68b is connected to the first communication line via the communication control solenoid valve 73. 68a.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the water supply tank 62,
The tank 81 is sealed with a lid 82, and the lid 82 has
The water supply tank pressurizing pipe 66 and the second water feeding pipe 67b pass through the outer periphery in a sealed state. The heating device main body 83 is provided with a heating wire 84, a temperature sensor 85, a tank installation detection unit 86, and a light emitting LED 87.

When the tank 81 is set in the main body 83 of the heating device, the tank installation detecting section 86 detects the setting and the heating wire 84 starts to generate heat. The temperature sensor 85 detects whether the water stored in the tank 81 has reached a predetermined temperature. The light-emitting LED 87 emits light when a predetermined temperature is reached, and notifies the operator.

When the water in the tank 81 is heated, the lens on the front surface of the objective lens group 34 is not cooled even if water is supplied by the water supply nozzle 49b, so that the lens is not clouded. Note that the means for notifying the operator may be sound means such as a buzzer.

As shown in FIG. 8, the air supply control solenoid valve 64
Is composed of a main body 91 and a driving body 92. Here, FIG. 8A shows an open state of the air supply control electromagnetic valve 64, and the first air supply line 63 a and the second air supply line 63 are shown.
b is in communication. FIG. 8 (b)
The closed state of the air supply control electromagnetic valve 64 is shown, and the first air supply line 63a and the second air supply line 63b are not communicated by pressing the line with the driving body 92.

Since the water supply control solenoid valve 74, the communication control solenoid valve 73, and the suction control solenoid valve 70 have the same structure, their description will be omitted.

In the air supply / water supply, the air supply / water supply pump 65 pressurizes the second air supply line 63b and the water supply tank pressurization line 66 to perform air supply and water supply. When the operator does not perform the air / water supply, the air supply control electromagnetic valve 64, the water supply control electromagnetic valve 74, and the communication control electromagnetic valve 73 are closed (see FIG. 8B). .

If only the air supply control solenoid valve 64 is opened (see FIG. 8A), the second air supply line 63b is opened.
Communicates with the first air supply line 63a, and the air supply / water supply pump 6
Due to the pressurization from 5 to the second air supply conduit 63b, air is supplied from the air supply nozzle 62a to the objective lens group 34.

When only the water supply control solenoid valve 74 is opened, the second water supply line 67b and the first water supply line 67 are opened.
a, the second water supply line 63 b and the water supply tank pressurization line 66 are pressurized from the air supply and water supply pump 65 to the water supply tank pressurization line 66, the water supply tank 62, and the second water supply line 67 b. And water is supplied to the objective lens group 34 via the first water supply conduit 67a.

When only the communication control solenoid valve 73 is opened, the second communication line 68b and the first communication line 6
8a communicate with each other, and pressurize the second air supply line 63b and the water supply tank pressurization line 66 from the air supply / water supply pump 65,
The water is sent to the front of the distal end portion 9 through the water supply tank pressurizing pipe 66, the water supply tank 62, the second communication pipe 68b, the first communication pipe 68a, and the first suction pipe 69a.

In the suction, since the suction pump 72 performs suction, the suction pump 72 applies a negative pressure to the third suction pipe 69c, the recovery tank 71, and the second suction pipe 69b.
When the operator does not perform suction, the suction control solenoid valve 70 is closed. Here, when the suction control electromagnetic valve 70 is opened and the communication control electromagnetic valve 73 is closed, suction is performed into the collection tank 71 from the opening 48 at the tip end 9. The sucked solid or liquid is stored in the collection tank 71.

For example, in a medical endoscope, in order to clean a human gastric mucosa, it is necessary to supply water forward from the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope. At that time, the liquid is supplied from an inlet of the endoscope provided in the operation section of the endoscope to an independent front water supply conduit opened at the distal end of the insertion section to clean the gastric mucosa.

However, when water is to be fed forward by endoscopy, the operator connects a syringe for water feeding to an injection port provided in the operation section of the endoscope, and applies pressure to the insertion section of the endoscope. Although water is fed forward from the tip, the operation of the endoscope must be temporarily stopped every time water is fed forward, which is not only troublesome for the operator but also increases the inspection time. The conduit system 61 of the electronic endoscope 2 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 solves such a problem and makes it possible to easily perform forward water supply.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

(Operation) Next, the operation of the present embodiment thus configured will be described.

In the light source device 3, the diaphragm driving device 43 is driven in accordance with a dimming control signal output from the CPU 42 to move the position of the diaphragm 44, thereby changing the relative position of the diaphragm 44 with respect to the lamp 18. The change in the relative position changes the cut amount of the illumination light emitted to the condenser lens 17 side.
That is, the brightness of the light source device 3 is determined at the position of the aperture 44. Here, in order to detect the amount of light emitted to the condenser lens 17 side of the lamp 16, the position of the diaphragm 44 is detected by position detecting means (not shown) in the diaphragm driving device 43.

On the other hand, the brightness detection means (not shown) of the pre-processing circuit 35 restricts the photometry of the brightness received only in the photometry area 100 which is a portion close to the light guide emission lens group 33 shown in FIG. Is going.

When the position of the aperture 44 is at a position brighter than a preset reference, the output signal of the CCD 21 in the photometry area 100 is saturated, or the brightness received by the CCD 21 is abnormally low. In this case, a signal is sent to the CPU 42 via the signal cable 36 and the signal cable 41, a dimming control signal is sent from the CPU 42 to the aperture driving device 43, and the aperture 44 is temporarily moved to a dark position to reduce the light amount. In other states, the light intensity is not temporarily reduced, and the dimming control is performed so that the brightness becomes suitable for normal endoscopy.

Other functions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Effect) As described above, also in the present embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the photometry is performed particularly at a part of the light guide side of the solid-state imaging device, so that the photometry sensitivity is good, and The emitted light can be controlled accurately.

Instead of detecting the position of the stop 44 for detecting the light quantity of the light source device 3, the vicinity of the exit side of the condenser lens 17, the vicinity of the entrance end of the light guide entrance end 18, and the vicinity of the light guide fiber bundle 19 are used. Alternatively, the temperature may be measured by providing a temperature measuring means.

In the first and second embodiments, the endoscope of the type observing forward from the distal end has been described. However, the endoscope of the type observing laterally from the distal end may be similarly configured. And an equivalent operation and effect can be obtained.

Although the conduit system of the electronic endoscope 2 is configured as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, it is not limited to this.
It may be configured as shown in FIG.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, in the pipeline system 93 of the electronic endoscope 2, the air supply pipeline 61a is connected to the air supply / water supply nozzle 94 provided on the end surface of the endoscope. One air supply line 63a is connected to the control button 95,
The second air supply line 63b is connected to the second air supply line 63b via the control button 95, and the second air supply line 63b is
5 is connected. The second air supply line 63b has a branch in the middle thereof with the water supply tank pressurization line 66, and the water supply tank pressurization line 66 is connected to the water supply tank 62 storing water for water supply.

On the other hand, in the water supply line 61b, the first water supply line 67a branched from the middle of the first air supply line 63a is connected to the second water supply line 67b via the control button 95, and Is connected to the water supply tank 62 on the base end side.

In the suction line 61c, a first suction line 69a having an opening 48 at the end surface of the endoscope is connected to a second suction line 69b via a suction control solenoid valve 70, and the second suction line 69b is connected to the second suction line 69b.
Is connected to the collection tank 71 on the proximal end side. The collection tank 71 is also connected to a third suction pipe 69c connected to the suction pump 72. The first suction pipe 69 a has a pipe that branches off from the communication pipe 96 on the way, and the communication pipe 96 is connected to the control button 95.

As shown in FIG. 11, the control button 95 is
The main body 9 includes a main body 97 and a pipeline switching member 98.
The fitting portion between 7 and the pipeline switching member 98 is sealed with oil.

In the modification of the pipeline system shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the operator does not operate anything, the control buttons 95 are used to close the pipelines as shown in FIG. It has become. Further, when air is supplied, FIG.
As shown in (b), the second air supply line 63b communicates with the first air supply line 63a, and air is supplied from the air supply / water supply nozzle 94.

When water is supplied, the second water supply line 67b communicates with the first water supply line 67a by the control button 95 as shown in FIG. 11C, and water is supplied from the air supply / water supply nozzle 94. .

When water is supplied in front of the distal end portion 9, the control button 95 allows the second water supply line 67b and the communication line 96 to communicate with each other as shown in FIG. 6
Water is supplied from the front end 9a to the front 9a.

Thus, the same effects as those of the pipeline system shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 can be obtained. In particular, since there is only one control unit for air supply, water supply, and forward water supply, it is possible to simplify the structure. effective.

FIGS. 12 to 16 relate to an embodiment of an endoscope having excellent cleaning properties. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a longitudinal section of the distal end of the endoscope near a treatment instrument raising table. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a longitudinal section of the control mechanism of the treatment instrument raising table in FIG. 12, FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an operation unit for operating the treatment instrument raising table in FIG. 12, and FIG. 15 is substantially perpendicular to FIG. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a longitudinal section of the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a longitudinal section of an observation optical system at the end of the endoscope No. 2;

(Configuration) At the distal end of the endoscope, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 13, the treatment instrument raising wire 101 is connected to the treatment instrument raising table 102 on the distal end side, and is connected to the wire fixing member 103 on the proximal end side as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13, the wire fixing member 10
3 is a washing tube 104, a fluoro rubber tube 105
Is fixed watertight. Also, the wire fixing member 103
Is rotatably connected to the connecting rod 106 and is slidably mounted on a guide member 108 fixed to the operation board 107.

As shown in FIG. 14, the connecting rods 106a and 106b are rotatably connected to the operation lever 109 at the other end, and the operation lever 109 is rotatably connected to the shaft 110.

As shown in FIG. 12, the treatment instrument raising wire 1
A tube 111 is provided on the outer circumference of the tube 01, and is fixed to the distal end fixing portion 112 in a water-tight manner on the distal end side, and is fixed to the branch tube 113 on the proximal end side in a water-tight manner as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 15, the pipe 114 is water-tightly fixed to the branch pipe 113 at the distal end and to the pipe fixing member 115 at the proximal end as shown in FIG. The pipe fixing member 115 is connected to the operation board 10 via the fixing member 116.
7 and is fixed to the fluoro rubber tube 105 in a watertight manner.

In the observation optical system at the end of the endoscope, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the first lens 121 and the prism 122 are fixed to the front end fixing portion 112, and an imaging unit 123 is provided at the rear end of the prism 122, and the light guide 1
The lens 24 and the lens 125 are fixed to the tip fixing portion 112. In addition, the nozzle 126 is also fixed to the distal end fixing portion 112, and is connected to the water supply tube 129 at the rear end via the air supply / water supply conduit 127 and the connection pipe 128. As shown in FIG. 15, the air / water supply pipe 127 is connected to a tube 111 which is branched on the way and connected to the branch pipe 113 via the communication pipe 130, and the branch pipe 113 has a branch portion. It is connected to the air supply tube 132.

As shown in FIG. 12, the treatment instrument raising table 102 is rotatably connected to a shaft 133 provided on the distal end fixing portion 112.

(Operation) Light guide 124, lens 12
The subject is illuminated via 5. The object image is prism 1
22, an image is formed in the imaging unit 123 via the first lens 121, and the image is sent to the video processor.

The operation lever 109 is normally located at the position 109a shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 13A, it is located on the distal end side via the connecting rod 106. In this position, the interval between the pipe fixing member 115 and the wire fixing member 103 is short, and the fluoro rubber tube 105 is in a contracted state. At the tip,
The treatment instrument raising table 102 is located at the position 102a shown in FIG.

Here, when the operation lever 109 is moved to the position 109b shown in FIG.
13 is located on the rear end side via the connecting rod 106 as shown in FIG. In this position, the pipe fixing member 115
The interval between the wire fixing member 103 and the wire fixing member 103 is long, and the fluoro rubber tube 105 is in an extended state. At the tip, the treatment instrument raising table 102 is positioned at a position 102b shown in FIG.
In the position.

When the operating lever 109 is at the position 109a shown in FIG. 14, that is, when the treatment tool erecting base 102 is at the position 102a shown in FIG. 12, the operator moves the treatment tool through the treatment tool channel 141 (see FIG. 12). Insert to the tip. Here, the operation lever 109 is moved to the position 10 shown in FIG.
9B, and the treatment instrument raising table 102 is moved to the position 102b shown in FIG.
It can be raised in accordance with b and the direction of the distal end of the treatment tool can be changed.

When the area around the treatment instrument raising wire 101 is cleaned, the opening 142 (FIG.
Inject the cleaning solution until). In addition, the washing tube 10
When air is supplied from the air supply tube 132 in a state where the air supply tube 4 is closed, the tube 111, the communication conduit 130, and the air supply / water supply conduit 1
27, air can be sent to the first lens 121 via the nozzle 126. Further, when water is supplied from the water supply tube 129, water can be supplied from the nozzle 126 via the air supply / water supply conduit 127. At this time, there is not much leakage from the opening 142 because the treatment instrument raising wire 101 is present.

Further, since the tube 111 shares the air supply duct and the outer peripheral tube of the treatment instrument raising wire 101, the diameter of the distal end is reduced.

(Effect) Conventionally, a treatment instrument raising base for directing a treatment instrument in a desired direction at the distal end of the insertion section of the endoscope is rotatably fixed to the distal end of the insertion section, and is provided inside the insertion section. By pulling and relaxing the inserted treatment tool raising wire, the treatment tool raising table is rotated to change the direction of the treatment tool.

A pipe member is provided on the outer periphery of the treatment instrument raising wire so as to substantially include the entire length of the wire. The pipe member opens to the outside of the endoscope at the distal end of the insertion section, and is fixed to the fixing member in the operation section at the proximal end side.

Further, the treatment instrument raising wire and an operating portion for pulling and relaxing the wire are connected, and the operating portion and the pipe member are connected to each other.
It is fixed via an O-ring for keeping water tight between them. An opening is opened from the operation unit to the outside of the endoscope through a tube member communicating with the inner surface of the pipe member from the vicinity of the connection portion. That is, the wire and the inner surface of the pipe are separated from the inside of the endoscope, and the circumference of the wire can be cleaned by flowing a cleaning liquid from the outside to the inner surface of the pipe member.

However, since the pipe member is open at the tip of the endoscope, for example, dirt in the stomach may enter the inner surface of the pipe during the endoscopic examination. At this time, since an O-ring is provided between the pipe at the rear end of the pipe and the operating section, no dirt enters the endoscope. However, since the space is narrow near the O-ring, the cleaning liquid is difficult to reach during cleaning, and a great deal of labor needs to be expended in order to perform the cleaning reliably.

In the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16, it is possible to solve the above problem and to provide an endoscope having excellent cleaning properties.

[Supplementary Note] (Supplementary Note 1) An endoscope having a solid-state imaging device disposed at the distal end for forming an image of a subject illuminated by illumination light via an objective lens, and an endoscope provided with the solid-state imaging device A processor that controls an electric signal, and a lighting device having a light source that supplies the illumination light, a detection unit that detects a light amount of the light source of the lighting device, and a value that is larger than a predetermined reference value. When light is output, light measuring means for measuring the amount of light received by the solid-state imaging device, and light amount controlling means for temporarily reducing the light amount of the light source of the illumination device according to the output result of the light measuring means are provided. An endoscope apparatus characterized in that:

(Supplementary note 2) The light quantity control means temporarily reduces the light quantity of the light source device when the photometric means measures the saturation of the received light quantity of a part of the solid-state imaging device. Item 2. The endoscope device according to Item 1.

(Additional Item 3) When the light meter illuminates the object to the maximum with the illuminating device, and the light metering device measures the amount of light that cannot obtain appropriate brightness for the object, the light amount of the light source device The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1, wherein is temporarily reduced.

(Additional Item 4) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1, wherein the detecting means detects the light amount using a current value of a light source of the lighting device.

(Additional Item 5) The endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein the light amount control means is a diaphragm, and the detecting means detects the light amount using position information of the diaphragm. apparatus.

(Supplementary Note 6) A temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature near an emission end of the light source of the light source device, wherein the detecting means detects the light amount using a measurement result of the temperature measuring means. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that:

(Appendix 7) An air supply pipe and a water supply pipe for supplying air and water to the front surface of the objective lens provided at the tip of the insertion section, and a suction pipe for suctioning from the tip of the insertion section. And an endoscope having control means for controlling opening and closing of the air supply line, the water supply line, and the suction line, wherein the communication line connects the water supply line and the suction line. An endoscope, wherein the endoscope is provided with an opening / closing means for communicating with a path and controlling opening / closing of the communication pipe.

(Supplementary note 8) An additional feature of the present invention is that a branch of the water supply pipe to the communication pipe is provided between the control means for water supply and a pressurizing pump for water supply. 7
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1.

(Additional Item 9) An endoscope according to additional item 7, wherein a branch portion of the suction conduit to the communication conduit is provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion by the suction control means. Mirror device.

(Supplementary item 10) A treatment tool raising base for directing a treatment tool for performing a treatment at the distal end side of the insertion portion of the endoscope in a desired direction at the distal end of the insertion portion is provided. In an endoscope which is remotely operated by pulling / relaxing a wire connected to the treatment instrument raising stand, a pipe-like member containing the wire is opened at a distal end side of an insertion portion and an elastic tube member at a proximal end side. An endoscope in which the other end of the tube member and an operating member for pulling and relaxing the wire are connected in a watertight manner.

(Additional Item 11) In an endoscope provided with a water supply pipe and a water supply tank for cleaning the front surface of the objective lens, a heating means for heating water in the water supply tank is provided. Endoscope.

(Additional Item 12) An additional item 1 characterized in that a measuring means for measuring the temperature in the water supply tank is provided.
2. The endoscope device according to 1.

(Additional Item 13) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 12, wherein the measuring means is provided on a lower surface of the water supply tank.

(Additional Item 14) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 12, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying the temperature of the water in the water supply tank.

[0103]

As described above, according to the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, the detecting means detects the light amount of the light source of the illumination device,
The light meter measures the amount of light received by the solid-state imaging device, and the light controller controls the light amount of the light source of the illumination device temporarily according to the output result of the light meter. There is an effect that can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a distal end portion of the endoscope in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of dimming control of the light source device by the video processor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a light source device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a distal end surface of an electronic endoscope to which illumination light from the light source device in FIG. 4 is supplied.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a pipeline system of the electronic endoscope in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a water supply tank in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an air supply control solenoid valve in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a CCD built in the electronic endoscope of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a modified example of the pipeline system of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a control button in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a longitudinal section near the treatment tool raising table at the distal end of the endoscope according to an embodiment of the endoscope having excellent cleaning properties.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a longitudinal section of a control mechanism of the treatment instrument raising stand of FIG. 12;

14 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an operation unit for operating the treatment tool raising stand of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a longitudinal section of the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion substantially perpendicular to FIG. 12;

16 is a sectional view showing a longitudinal section of an observation optical system at the distal end of the endoscope in FIG. 12;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Electronic endoscope 3 ... Light source device 4 ... Video processor 5 ... Monitor 6 ... VTR deck 7 ... Video disk 8 ... Video printer 9 ... Tip part 10 ... Bending part 11 ... Flexible part 12 ... Insertion part 13 ... Operation part 14 ... Universal cord 14a ... Light guide connector 15 ... Signal cable 15a ... Video connector 16 ... Lamp 17 ... Condenser lens 18 ... Light guide entrance end 19 ... Light guide fiber bundle 20 ... Dimming circuit 31 ... CCD 32: fixed end portion 33: light guide emission lens group 34: objective lens group 35: pre-processing cycle 36: signal cable

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] September 10, 1997

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0046

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

If only the air supply control solenoid valve 64 is opened (see FIG. 8A), the second air supply line 63b is opened.
Communicates with the first air supply line 63a, and the air supply / water supply pump 6
Due to the pressurization from 5 to the second air supply conduit 63b, air is supplied from the air supply nozzle 49a to the objective lens group 34.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0047

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

When only the water supply control solenoid valve 74 is opened, the second water supply line 67b and the first water supply line 67 are opened.
a, the second water supply line 63 b and the water supply tank pressurization line 66 are pressurized from the air supply and water supply pump 65 to the water supply tank pressurization line 66, the water supply tank 62, and the second water supply line 67 b. The water is supplied to the objective lens group 34 via the first water supply conduit 67a and the water supply nozzle 49b .

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope having a solid-state imaging device provided at an end thereof for forming an image of a subject illuminated by illumination light via an objective lens, and a processor for controlling an electric signal from the solid-state imaging device. A lighting device having a light source that supplies the illumination light, a detecting unit that detects a light amount of the light source of the lighting device, and when the detecting unit outputs a value larger than a preset reference value, A light meter that measures the amount of light received by the solid-state imaging device; and a light amount controller that temporarily reduces the amount of light from the light source of the illumination device according to an output result of the light meter. Endoscope device.